Hot Chip

Decades after the sequencing of the human genome, researchers now routinely sequence human DNA to search for clues about evolution, hereditary diseases and the fundamental processes of life. Roughly the size of a first class stamp, this DNA sequencing chip contains 165 million 'wells' that can be filled with chunks of human DNA. Inside a desktop sequencing machine, the DNA is first ripped apart, then chemically re-assembled. This process emits a pattern of natural electrical charges that are read by a sensor and, ultimately, deciphered as a DNA sequence. Sequencing reactions shown firing in millions of these wells – as red or yellow pixels in this heat map (blue areas contain no DNA) – were used to identify genes that have more than one way of being read. Known as alternative polyadenylation, this mechanism may result in different and profound effects on the life of our cells and tissues.

Written by John Ankers

John Ankers

Writer

A former researcher in systems biology, John is now an online biology tutor and professional coach supporting the wellbeing of scientists and NHS professionals. He's writing, too, of course.

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• Image by Jonathan Neve
• Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, UK
• Copyright held by the photographer
• Image first published in Issue 21 of Phenotype, the science journal of the Oxford University Biochemical Society